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Surveying Our Patch Relative to 1960, Creagh Crossroads has undergone a major transformation with a twenty-fold increase in residential housing. This increase is reflected in the records of Creagh N.S. which show 338 pupils on rolls today in comparison with an enrolment of 135 in 1960. During a survey of our school grounds we realised that our patch had the potential to be a natural haven for the wildlife in our densely populated locality. The map and graph show the wide variety of trees that exist in our patch. We decided to further develop our patch by including a green house tunnel, a recycone-compost bin, a picnic area, and a wildflower garden. We have also highlighted proposed areas for future development on our map.
We hope to undertake further projects in order to ensure that our patch will continue to be a sanctuary for wildlife and a source of enjoyment for people. |
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1. Ditch or Hedgerow Containing: 18 Mature Ash 2 Sapling Oak 3 Sycamore 4 Birch 9 Hazel Elder Whitethorn Blackthorn 2. Evergreen shelter belt containing: about 50 Lelandii 3.Shrubery 4. Cherry blossom 5. Evergreen Oak |
6. Sycamore 7. Shrubery 8. Shrubery 9. Shrubery 10. Weeping copper beech. (Omagh Bombing) Spring 99 11. Unidentified Deciduous Tree 12. Shrubbery containing: Purple and White Lilac Holly 13. Whit Beam 14. Mountain Ash 15. Beech 16. Speciman Whitethorn 17. Unidentified Decidous Tree
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18. Maple 19. Silver Birch 20. Laurel Grove A. Greenhouse Tunnel B. Picnic Area C. Recycone D. Flowerbed E. Proposed flowerbed F. Proposed flowerbed G. Proposed flowerbed H. Folwerbed I. Window Flowerpot J. Proposed Area Development K. Playground |
Our patch skirts the main Ballinasloe/Shannonbridge Road and is visible to many passing motorists and pedestrians. We want our grounds to be appealing to the eye so we erected a picnic bench and flower beds close to the roadside. This facility is already being used by people from the community to rest and chat.
Last autumn we planted many varieties of bulbs in window boxes. This spring we had a beautiful display of crocuses, hyacinths, daffodils and tulips.
Michael and Aaron used their woodwork skills to construct an ornamental well. This was filled with clay and some flower seeds were planted in it. This is a special attraction and looks really well as you enter our school grounds.
They also made a set of signs that are placed throughout our patch highlighting that ours is a "Litter-Free Zone". They used slogans such as "Ná Caith Bruscar" and "Keep Tidy" to impress on pupils and visitors to keep our grounds clean and tidy.
We have also organised a Litter Committee. The pupils take it in turn to pick up any litter that may be scattered around our patch. We find that pupils are now less inclined to throw litter around.
We have added to our collection of trees this year by planting an ornamental cherry blossom and an evergreen oak. We also planted a weeping beech in memory of the victims of the Omagh bombing.
We find many parents are now stopping to admire our efforts when collecting pupils from the school.